Flooded Pool to Otley road is pumped clear

Heavy rain caused flooding between Otley and Pool-in-Wharfedale this week.

Run-off soil from a nearby field, on higher ground, clogged drains on the A659 Pool Road, causing more than five feet of water at one point, to build up on a section near the Blue Barn.

Police closed the road in both directions between East Busk Lane in Otley and the A659's junction with the A658 at Pool.

A crew from Leeds City Council, however, using pumps to move the water and clear the drains, had it ready to re-open again within a few hours. Meanwhile, Leeds City Council is urging motorists to obey police “road closed” signs.

A number of vehicles ignored them at Pool only to have to brake hard shortly afterwards – putting the authority's road-clearance teams at risk.